THE GRAND RIVER
Beginning near Georgian Bay, the Grand, a Canadian Heritage River, winds its way south through Elora, and continues just to the east of Kitchener- Waterloo, eventually emptying into Lake Erie. The Grand River watershed is the largest inland river system in the southern portion of the province. Aside from the gorge conservation area listed above, there are many other parks and conservation areas located along the southern sections of the river.
Beginning near Georgian Bay, the Grand, a Canadian Heritage River, winds its way south through Elora, and continues just to the east of Kitchener- Waterloo, eventually emptying into Lake Erie. The Grand River watershed is the largest inland river system in the southern portion of the province. Aside from the gorge conservation area listed above, there are many other parks and conservation areas located along the southern sections of the river.
Anyone of them or local Canada tourist offices should have a guide to recreational facilities along the Grand. Canoeing is possible in many sections (with rentals and shuttles); at others there are swimming facilities and walking trails. For more information contact the Canada Grand River Conservation Authority in Cambridge.
Rooms start at $150. Elora Confectioner's Delicatessen (54 Metcalfe St) has fresh sandwiches and baked goods. The Desert Rose Cafe (J 30 Metcalfe St) is good for its Mexican-influenced menu under $10. The Metcalfe Inn, on the corner of Mill and Metcalfe Sts, has an outdoor patio where beer is served. Other places along Mill St and the dining room of the Mill Inn, offer more expensive menus. At the back of Leyanders (40 Mill St), a store, is a quiet tearoom, good for afternoon cream tea with a view of the river. The Greyhound bus connects north to Owen Sound and south to Toronto via Guelph. It stops at Little Katy Variety Store, central on Geddes St.
Rooms start at $150. Elora Confectioner's Delicatessen (54 Metcalfe St) has fresh sandwiches and baked goods. The Desert Rose Cafe (J 30 Metcalfe St) is good for its Mexican-influenced menu under $10. The Metcalfe Inn, on the corner of Mill and Metcalfe Sts, has an outdoor patio where beer is served. Other places along Mill St and the dining room of the Mill Inn, offer more expensive menus. At the back of Leyanders (40 Mill St), a store, is a quiet tearoom, good for afternoon cream tea with a view of the river. The Greyhound bus connects north to Owen Sound and south to Toronto via Guelph. It stops at Little Katy Variety Store, central on Geddes St.
Fergus is Elora's neighbor and a quiet farming town. As the name suggests, the heritage here is Scottish, and this is best appreciated at the annual Highland Games, held during the second week of August. Included are Scottish dancing, pipe bands, foods, and sports events such as the caber toss. It is one of the largest Scottish festivals and Highland Games held in North America. St Andrew St is the attractive main street. Many of the distinctive grey buildings are made of limestone and a town oddity is the painted fire hydrants.
The tourist office is in the central Fergus Market Building along with various shops. The Templin Gardens are in the centre of town, along the Grand River. A farmers' market is held on weekends. Between Fergus and Elora Sts is the Wellington County Museum, with artifacts relating to the history of the county. Like Elora, Fergus is quite busy, and accommodation is not overly abundant. In general, costs are a little lower here. The Thompson's is a B&B within walking distance of downtown. Prices are from $40/50. The Canada Riversedge Cafe with a nice location behind the Market Building has sandwiches and a few vegetarian pasta dishes and burgers. It's open daily. The Greyhound bus which goes to Guelph where connections for Toronto can be made stops at the Highland Inn, downtown.
